Weekly Collection Schedule
Official municipal pickup timing for Blacksburg
Trash Day
Trash is collected weekly based on quadrant: Southeast on Mondays, Northwest on Tuesdays, Northeast on Thursdays, and Southwest on Fridays.
Recycling
Collected every other week on the same designated quadrant day as regular trash pickup.
Yard Waste
Curbside brush collection occurs twice annually during designated Spring and Fall cleanups, with dedicated leaf collection in late autumn.
Set Out Time
By 7:00 AM on collection day
Utility Billing & Payments
Manage your local solid waste services
Refuse and recycling fees are included on your monthly Town of Blacksburg utility statement alongside water, sewer, and stormwater charges.
Billing Cycle
Monthly
Accepted Methods
Online, Auto-Pay (Direct Debit/Bank Draft), Mail, Phone, In Person, Drop Box
Varies (Standard Town-Issued Refuse Cart) Bin (Trash)
All refuse must fit entirely inside the town-issued cart with the lid closed. Do not place loose bags on top of or next to the cart, as automated arms cannot safely collect them.
Accepted Items
- ✓General household garbage
- ✓Non-recyclable plastics
- ✓Food waste
- ✓Bagged refuse
Blue (Standard Town-Issued Recycling Cart) Bin (Recycling)
Recycling materials should be placed loosely in the provided recycling cart. Do not bag recyclables in plastic trash bags. Carts must be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your collection day.
Accepted Items
- ✓Cardboard and mixed paper
- ✓Plastic bottles, jugs, and tubs
- ✓Aluminum and steel cans
- ✓Glass bottles and jars
Do NOT Include
- ✕Plastic bags and shrink wrap
- ✕Styrofoam
- ✕Food-soiled pizza boxes
- ✕Tanglers (cords, hoses, wire)
Yard Waste Bin
Brush is primarily collected during the free Spring and Fall Cleanups or via the $75 Friday special pickup program. Small quantities of grass and leaves may go into standard refuse carts if space permits.
Accepted Items
- ✓Brush
- ✓Small tree limbs (up to 7 feet long and 6 inches in diameter)
Bulky Item Pickup
Frequency
Biannually (Free) or On-Demand (Paid)
Placement
Limited to one dump truck load (10'x7'x3'). Do not place items near low-hanging wires, parked cars, or fire hydrants, as heavy equipment is used to scoop the piles.
Accepted
- ✓ Furniture and mattresses
- ✓ Appliances (doors removed)
- ✓ Up to 8 car tires (off rim)
- ✓ Brush and yard debris (under 7 feet long)
Not Accepted
- ✕ Contractor and major construction debris
- ✕ Pressure-treated lumber
- ✕ Hazardous waste and wet paint
- ✕ Commercial, racing, or farm use tires
The $75 out-of-season bulk fee can be paid with Visa/MasterCard by calling (540) 443-1060 or in person at 300 S. Main Street.
Holiday Schedule
General Rule
The town utilizes designated make-up days for holidays. If your normal Monday or Tuesday pickup is canceled due to a holiday, your makeup day is Wednesday. If your Thursday or Friday pickup is canceled, your makeup day is Saturday.
Yard Waste Exception
Special Friday bulk and brush pickups are suspended on major holidays.
Blacksburg occasionally alters schedules for specific local events or extended holiday weekends, so checking the 'My Waste App' or town Citizens Alerts is recommended.
Observed Holidays
Seasonal Information
Spring
AprilThe Spring Cleanup runs for four weeks in April (one week per quadrant). Residents must place bulk items and brush at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the Monday of their scheduled week, stacked outside and away from fences, mailboxes, and lampposts.
Autumn
September to OctoberFall Cleanup typically kicks off in late September. Remember that brush is collected by one specific truck, while metal, tires, and junk are collected by another truck later in the week. Do not add to the pile once a category is collected.
Winter
December to FebruaryBlacksburg experiences occasional heavy snow. In the event of a weather cancellation, Monday and Tuesday routes are typically pushed to Wednesday, while Thursday and Friday routes are postponed to Saturday.
Local Tips & Community Info
Got Cans? Get Cash Back in the Blacksburg Area!
While Virginia doesn't have a statewide bottle deposit program, keep an eye out for local scrap metal yards! Places like Radford Metal Scrap or similar operations in the wider New River Valley might be willing to take your aluminum cans and other metals. It's worth a call to see what they're buying – a little extra cash for your recycling efforts is always a win. Check their hours and what they accept before you haul.
Give Your Old Stuff a New Life in Blacksburg
Instead of tossing items that are still in good shape, think about donating them! In the Blacksburg area, the Christiansburg Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a fantastic option. They accept furniture, appliances, building materials, and household goods. Another great spot is the Montgomery County Animal Care & Adoption Center Thrift Store, where your donations help support our furry friends. Even smaller local churches or community centers sometimes have donation drives for clothing and household items. It's a win-win: you declutter, and someone else gets something they need.
Keeping Blacksburg Beautiful: Tackling Trash Talk and Tidy Ups
Seeing litter around town is a bummer, and nobody wants to see illegal dumping happening. If you witness someone dumping waste illegally in Blacksburg or Montgomery County, it's best to report it. You can contact the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office or the Animal Care & Adoption Center if it's related to animal waste. For general litter or larger illegal dumping concerns, the county's Public Works department is usually the go-to. And if you're looking to get involved in keeping things spick and span, check local community boards or the town's website for upcoming neighborhood clean-up events. It's a great way to meet neighbors and make a visible difference.
Drop-off Facilities
Prices Fork Consolidated Drop-Off Site
4680 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24060
Materials Accepted
Montgomery Regional Solid Waste Authority (MRSWA)
555 Authority Drive, Christiansburg, VA 24073
Materials Accepted
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my trash collection in Blacksburg if it snows or there is a holiday?
The Town of Blacksburg has built-in make-up days for service disruptions. If a holiday or snowstorm falls on your Monday or Tuesday collection, your makeup day will be Wednesday. If the delay impacts a Thursday or Friday collection, your pickup will move to Saturday.
How do I get rid of an old couch or brush pile outside of the Spring Cleanup week?
You can request a Special Pickup for bulky items and brush. The service operates on Fridays and costs $75 per dump truck load. You must prepay the fee by the Wednesday prior to collection by calling the town cashier at (540) 443-1060.
How much brush can I put out during the free Fall Cleanup?
Brush piles are limited to what will comfortably fit into one town dump truck bed, which is roughly 10 feet long, 7 feet wide, and 3 feet high. Branches must not exceed 7 feet in length or 6 inches in diameter.
Are apartment complexes in Blacksburg required to recycle?
Yes. According to Town Code § 20-403, all apartment complexes and townhomes must provide recycling services to their tenants. If your property manager uses a private waste hauler instead of town service, they are legally required to report their recycling disposal rates to the town twice a year.